Corrugating die



July 14, 1936. R MURPHY 2,047,906

CORRUGATING DIE Filed July 1, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dan R. Murphy J L INVENTOR ATTORNEY I July 14, 1936. D, R MURPHY 2,047,906

CORRUGATING DIE Filed July 1, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 4] 30 Dan R. Murphy ATTORNEY Patented July 14, 1936 warren snares PATENT OFFIQE 14 Claims.

This invention relates in general to corrugating dies or dies for forming transverse bends or corrugations as well as other desired shapes in a sheet or strip of sheet metal.

In forming decorative trim, ridge pieces for roofs and the like from light gauge sheet metal, it is frequently desirable to form corrugations or some other desired pattern in a portion of the width of a strip of material, while at the same time maintaining the remainder of the width of such strip free from distortion. In the past, it has been known that it is necessary to hold the piece rigidly where it is desired to have the piece remain in a single plane, while the remainder of the piece is being formed by dies into a shape involving more than a single plane. One method of making the above mentioned products has been to employ a drop hammer fitted with a lead die corresponding to the shape of the ridge roll or flashing desired. The strips were stepped through this die in relatively short steps and the hammer is dropped in each position a sufficient number of times to make the sheet the shape of the die. This process has been found to produce a poor quality product and to be slow and costly, due in a large part to the difiiculty of keeping the sheet straight in the die. It is also necessary to have a different size die for each size of ridge roll or flashing.

Another method involves the use of a double action press with two rams. One ram is arranged to come down in advance of the other and hold the sheet while the other presses the shape in. Obviously such a machine is expensive to produce, and is necessarily of a complicated make-up.

One object of this invention is therefore to provide a device for forming these articles cheaply and easily, and for producing a high quality product.

Another object of this invention is to provide a device for forming sheet metal, in which a portion of a sheet may be rigidly held in a single plane while the remainder of the sheet is formed into a shape involving two or more planes.

It is a further object of this invention to provide a means whereby a single action die press may be used for producing articles of the type set forth both swiftly and accurately.

One other object is to provide a simple, inexpensive and efficient device for forming a piece of sheet metal over a portion of its width with a shape involving transverse bends, while at the same time maintaining the remainder of the width of the piece free from distortion.

Another object is to provide means whereby transverse bends or corrugations may be formed in a strip of material of any width, such bends or corrugations to extend from one edge of the strip for any desired portion of its width, without the necessity of changing dies for the different widths.

With the above and other objects in view, this invention consists of the various parts and combinations set forth in the annexed specification and claimed in the appended claims, it being distinctly understood, however, that the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification is by way of example and illustration only, and is not to be construed by way of limitation.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a ridge roll section of the type adapted to be produced by the device of this invention.

Figure 2 is a fragmental view in front elevation of a die press having dies constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the line i4 of Figure 2.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the ridge roll shown in Figure 1 is of the type commonly used for covering the peak or ridge of roofs and, in this instance, is formed for use with corrugated sheet metal roofing. This consists of a curved or circular central section I, and. a pair of oppositely extending depending aprons on the opposite sides thereof. It is noted that the aprons 2 are joined to the curved central section I by a reverse bend or curve 3. In practice, only the aprons 2 are corrugated, the corrugations being formed in a direction at right angles to the axis of the circular section as shown at 4.

In manufacturing, the circular section is formed first, and in accordance with this invention, this portion is formed, with the bends 3, in the same manner as in the prior art. The corrugations 4 are then formed by means of the device about to be described, a zone 5 adjacent the bends 3 being maintained in its fiat undistorted form, and the bend 3 and curved portion I being thus protected from distortion when the corrugations are being formed.

In Figure 2 there is illustrated a die press of the single action type having a bed 6 supported in the conventional manner at 1, and a ram 8 operated in a conventional manner by means of the members '9 hinged thereto at IU. Secured to the ram 8 is a'die holder II having an opening therein adapted to receive a shank portion of a die.

This opening I2 is formed along one side thereof with an'undercut portion I3 adapted to receive a projection or tongue I4 on the die I5. At its opposite side the opening I2 is provided with a keyway I6. A keyway IT in a corresponding position in the shank portion of the die I5 is adapted to register with the keyway I6 when the die is fully seated in the opening I2, and provide for the reception of the wedge key I8. 10 Similarly, a die holder I9, mounted.on the bed 6 of the press, is formed with an opening 20 adapted to receive the shank portion of a die 2|.

One side of the opening 23 is likewise undercut as at 22 to receive the projecting part 23 of the shank portion of the die 2|.

corresponding side of the shank portion'of the die has a keyway 25 in such a position as to register with the keyway 24 when the die 2| is fully seated in the opening, thus providing for the reception of the wedge key 26; a

.On one side thereof, as viewed in Figures 3 and 4. the respective dies are provided with portions'TI and 28 which extend laterally from the shank portions to the plane of the outer faces of the die holders. 1 The working faces of these dies are of theshape in which the work is to be formed, and this shape may, and in the present instance does, extend to the edges of the respective dies. ,In the embodiment shown, the

shape is shown as consisting of a series of corrugations, but it is to beappreciated that other desired shapesmay be as well employed.

On the upper die holder I I there is provided on 5 the side opposite the lateral extension 21 of the die. I5 an integral downwardly extending member 29 having its lower edge disposed adjacent the working face of the die I5. This lower edge is adapted to serve as a grippersurfacefor the purpose. of gripping the metal being formed in the dies. The lower die holder I9 is notched or cut out at 3B to receive a movable gripper bar 3|. This gripper bar 3| is secured to the die holder I9 by means of bolts 32 having threaded portions 33 threadedly engaging the tapped holes 34 in the .die holder. These bolts are provided with heads 35 and intermediate bearing portions 36. 1 They pass through'slots 3'! formed in the gripper bar, washers 33 being inserted between the heads of the bolts and the gripper bar. The lower edge of the gipper bar is recessed at intervals to provide sockets for thereception of coil springs39 or the like. While the upper ends of these coil springs are disposed within the sockets 40, the lower ends project from these sockets and bear against the shoulder 4| formed on the die holder I9 by the cutting away thereof. The upper edge of the gripper bar is disposed in alignment with and adapted tocooperate with the gripper surface of the member 29. It is noted that the die 2| has a laterally extending part projecting toward the gripper bar and that the gripper bar is notched out at 42 to provide a shoulder 43 for cooperation with said laterally extending part 44 5 of the die 4|.

In operation, a strip of metal is inserted between the dies to the proper position and the ram is brought down. Before the dies come together the metal w'illbe gripped between the gripper surfaces of the part 29 and the bar 3| which iscon stantly urged upward by the springs 39. These springs are of such strength as to cause the gripper surfaces to firmly grip' the work and hold it M positively during. the forming operation of the dies. The slots 31 are positioned at right angles The opposite side of the opening 20 is provided with a keyway 24, and the to the gripper surfaces and serve to positively guide the gripper bar in its movements.

It will be seen that since the corrugations in the respective dies extend entirely to one edge thereof, and that that edge is unobstructed by 5 gripper bars or the like, it will be possible to cor rugate by one or more steps a strip of practically any width by merely feeding it further and further into the dies. The corrugations formed in the dies taper off adjacent the other edges thereof 10 so that the dies on that edge are provided with substantially straight edges; The gripper bar is narrower adjacent its gripper surface than along its lower' portion where strength is required. This narrowness makes it possible for work hav- 15 ing a bend therein suchas illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 to be fed to such a position that the corrug'ations formed will closely approach the bend, and yet leave a fiat zone undistorted by the forming operation where the work is gripped between 20 the gripper surfaces. 7

It will be appreciated that by the foregoing there has been set forth a device whereby the articles referred to can be made without complicated or expensive equipment, yet in a thoroughly25 efficient and satisfactory manner. It is further apparent that the same is fully capable'of carrying out all of the'objects set forth above and sought by this invention. V

Having described my invention, I claim: j 3D 1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a pair of dies adapted to operate on a strip of sheet metal to form transverse bends therein extending only part way thereacross, a

gripper 'jaw fixedly'mounted with respect to one of said dies, a second gripper jaw'movably mounted with respect to the other die, and means resiliently urging said second gripper 'jaw toward a position beyond the face of said other die, whereby when a strip of metal is placed between said 40 dies and the dies moved toward each other, said gripperjaws will grip a portion of said strip and maintain said portion flat during the forming of the bends in the remainder of said strip.

2,.1In a device of the type described,1a die holder 45 7 having an opening adapted'to receive the shank .portionof a die, a die having its shank portion mounted therein means for securing said shank in saidopening, said die having an overhanging 7 portion projecting past one edge of said die 50 holder,,a movable gripperbar mountedralong said edge of the die holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the workingsuri'ace of saiddie, and a shouldered portion adapted to cooperate with the overhang- 5, 4

ingportion of the die to form astop limiting the outward movement of the gripper bar, and re-.'. V

ing in a grippersurfaoe in a plane adjacent the V outermost or working face of the die in said one die holder, a movable gripper bar mounted along 7 0;

the corresponding edge of the other die holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereonnormally projectingpast the'working surfaceiof the die in.said other die'ho'lder and'positioned to register with. the gripper surface on said first die agorrgooc holder, meanson. the die insaidiother die holder and on said: gripper bar for limiting theoutward movement of said bar, and resilient means constantly urging said bar. toward its outermost position.

4: Inca device. of the type described, a pair of opposed die holders having openingsadapted to receive the respectiveshanks of a pair of dies, a pairiof complementary dies with shanks mounted in said-openings respectively, means to secure said surface of the die in said other die holder and positioned to register with the gripper surface on saidrfirst die holder, means on the die in said other die holder and on said gripper bar for limiting the'outward movement of said bar, and resilient means constantly urging said bar toward its outermost position, the edges of the working faces of said dies opposite said gripper surfaces being unobstructed. V

'5. Ina device of the typedescribed, a pair of opposed die holders having-openings adapted to receive the respective shanks of a pair of dies, a

pair of complementarydies with shanks mounted inhsaid openings respectively, means to secure said shanks in said openings, one of said die holders"having a part integrally joined thereto,

extendin along one edge face of the die, and terminating in a gripper surface in a plane adjacent the outermost or working face of the die in said one die holder, a movable gripper bar mounted along the corresponding edge of the other die holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the working surface of the die in said other die holder and positioned to register with the gripper surface on said first die holder, means on the die in said other die holder and on said gripper bar for limiting the outward movement of said bar, and resilient means constantly urging said bar toward its outermost position, said dies having their Working faces formed with complementary transverse corrugations, each corrugation terminating adjacent said gripper surfaces at one end and extending completely to the edges of the dies at the opposite end, and the edges of the dies opposite said gripper surfaces being unobstructed to permit the sheets being operated upon to extend therebeyond without restriction.

6. In a device of the type described, a die holder having an opening adapted to receive the shank portion of a die, a die having its shank portion mounted therein, means to secure said shank in said opening, a gripper bar mounted along one edge of the die holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the Working surface of said die, said bar being formed with slots therein at right angles to said gripper surface, means extending through said slots and secured to said die holder to mount said bar for limited inward and outward movement, and resilient means continuously urging said bar toward its outermost position.

'7. In a device of the type described, a die holder 7 having an opening adapted to receive the shank said opening, a gripper bar mounted along one edge of the die holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the working surface of said die, said bar being formed with slots therein at right angles to said 5 gripper surface, headed means extending through said slots and secured to said die holder to mount said bar for limited inward and outward movement, said bar having sockets formed therein along its inner edge, and resilient elements mounted. partially in said sockets respectively and retained thereby, said elements constantly urging said'bar towards its outermost position.

- 8. In a device of the type described, a die holder having an. opening adapted to receive the shank 15 portion of a die, a die having its shank portion mounted therein, means to secure said shank in said opening, a gripper bar mounted along one edge of the die holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the working surface of said die, said bar being formedwith slots therein at right angles to said gripper surface, means extending through said slotsand'secured to said die holder to mount said bar for limited inward and outward movement, said bar having sockets formed therein along its inner edge, said die holder having a partextending into alignment with said sockets, and resilient elements mounted partially in said sockets respectively and retained thereby, the exposed portions of said elements abutting against said last mentioned part of the die holder to cause said bar to be constantly urged toward its outermost position.

,9;- In combination, a die holder, a die carried thereby, a gripper bar mounted along one edge of said combined die and holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the working surface of said die, means for movably mounting said bar on said combined die and holder for limited reciprocatory movement with respect thereto in a direction at right angles to said gripper surface, a part of said die holder being in alignment with and opposed to the inner edge of said bar, and resiliently compressible means interposed between said bar and said last mentioned part of the die holder to constantly urge said bar toward its outermost position.

10. In combination, a die holder, a die carried thereby, a gripper bar mounted along one edge 50 of said combined die and holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the working surface of said die, means for movably mounting said bar on said combined die and holder for limited reciprocatory movement with respect thereto in a direction at right angles to said gripper surface, a part of said die holder being in alignment with and opposed to the inner edge of said bar, and resiliently compressible means interposed between said bar and said last mentioned part of the die holder to constantly urge said bar toward its outermost position, said die and said bar being formed with cooperating parts for limiting the outward movement of said bar. 65

11. In combination, a die holder, a die carried thereby, a gripper bar mounted along one edge of said combined die and holder and having a part with a gripper surface thereon normally projecting past the working surface of said die, 70 means for mounting said bar on said combined die and holder for limited reciprocatory movement with respect thereto in a direction at right angles to said gripper surface, a part of said die holder being in alignment with and opposed to the inner 75 edge of said bar, and resiliently compressible means interposed between said bar 'and said last mentioned part of the die holder to constantly urge said bar toward its outermost position, said 7 5 bar being relatively thick at those portions receiving the mounting and the resiliently compressible means to provide necessary strength and 7 being relatively thin adjacent said gripper surface to permit a preformed bend in apiece of metal to.

be positioned relatively close to the die.

12. In a device for forming transverse corrugations in a strip of metal extending from one edge thereof part way to the opposite edge, while maintaining the remainder of the width of said strip 3 free from distortion, a pair of relatively movable opposed die holders, a pair of dies carried thereby and having opposed complementary corrugated faces, said corrugations being continuous "to one edge of said dies and being tapered off adjacent 201the other edge thereof to form a substantially straight line edge on each die, a gripper member fixedly mounted with respect to one of said die holders and having a gripper surface substantially in alignment with'the straight line edge of the 25 1 corresponding die, a second gripper member movably mounted with respect to the other die holder and having a gripper surface normally projecting past the straight line edge on the other die, means for mounting said second gripper 30 member for reciprocatory movement with respect to said second die holder in a direction at right angles to the gripper surface thereon and in registering alignment with said first gripper surface, and resilient means continuously urging said second gripper member toward its outermost position, whereby when a strip ofrmetal is placed between said dies and the die holders are moved towardeach other, said strip will first be gripped between said gripper surfaces to retain a portion of its width without distortion, and the dies will 5 then come together to corrugate the remainder of its width. v V

13. In a machine of the class described, a pair of relatively movable cooperating pressingdies,

a gripping portion adjacent each of said dies 101 adapted to'grip a sheet of material therebetween t in' the course of operation of said'pressing dies,

and means for resiliently urging said gripping portions toward each other'whereby an effective but yielding" clamping of the material isobtained 15 without distortion while the configuration of the material superposed by the pressing dies is altered. j

14. In a machine of the'class described, a pair of relatively movable cooperating pressing dies,'

a gripping portion adjacent each of said dies adapted to grip a sheet of material therebetween in the course of operation of said pressing dies, one of said gripping portions being fixed'relative to the pressing die adjacent thereto; the other g 7 DAN R. MURPHY.. V 

